I've had half of a good idea - help me have the rest of it!!

What a way to go

The excitement would kill him!

But I know you will secretly get him what I suggested, but don't worry it's our secret; I won't tell.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I had been thinking about getting a painting of our house but have now started looking at caricatures prompted by JaneA.

When I heard the words "twinned toilet", I had visions of the wooden seat with two holes in it over the earth closet we had in our backyard when I was five.

I was just thinking you'd probably have trouble these days finding anyone willing to clean it out.

I thought Jalimas link was good fun given his profession Kitty.

Well, it's a twinned toilet for DS for Christmas from me!

That's the sort of thing, jane. I thought Jalima's link was good.

How about a framed cartoon with a dental theme kitty?
There was a brilliant one by Tony Husband in Yobs in Private Eye some years ago.
Two yobs, one says 'I've got toothache, I'm scared of the dentist though'
Second yob delivers a well aimed blow on first yob and several teeth are seeing flying about.
Second yob says 'There! No need now!'
It did resonate with me at the time I tried to find it online but no success yet!

How about a rose or plant named after him or a star?

Could you commission a personalized caricature from a photo to include a background scene based on aspects of his work? We did this for several leavers from the Hospital where I worked. They were clever and funny and done by a local artist, which nowadays would be rather pricey. A site like this offers a cheaper alternative.
www.tctoons.com/

Twinned toilet

We all bought my OH a mandolin. He is a violinist and the fingering is the same and he has really enjoyed it - I would not say he plays brilliantly, but he does enjoy it.

I know I've said this before, but we tend to buy a (twinned) toilet to mark special occasions. The Wonderful Man bought me one for our Pearl Wedding Anniversary. (I did ask him for it!)

You get a framed photo of 'your' toilet and you can write an inscription.
www.toilettwinning.org/gift-box

Seen your photo Kitty, you would look fabulous.

I had vaguely thought about that Granny23 but he would say he was only doing his job and he was paid for it.

Brilliant, Jalima! That was sort of where Ana had nudged me!

It might seem a bit far fetched but have you thought of nominating him for an OBE or MBE? Sounds as though he has devoted his life to the NHS and therefore the welfare of all of us. This is exactly the kind of person who deserves such an honour.

What about a new chair kittylester?

Here's just the thing:

uk.pinterest.com/pin/452259987550609834/

He'd love it if I looked like that wb

Ana, I really want to get him something to keep and you might have planted a seed of an idea!! Thank you.

Buy yourself one of these, he will love it.

My preference would be something that would either last and become an heirloom or an experience. Laptops etc seem to mundane.

Stop buying him stuff kittylester

My DH is also retiring in December on his 60th birthday does not want to go away till spring
I am going to buy him the gold iPad Pro.....has laptop and iPad but feel he will enjoy this as it's a good size yet portable